1. Get to a safe place.

   Get away from the perpetrator and go to a safe place as soon as possible.

2. Seek medical attention. 

   Seek care from your primary care physician for any immediate medical concerns, or proceed to the nearest hospital in case of an emergency, such as bleeding, loss of consciousness, or effects from drugs or alcohol. Contact the Healing Hearts Crisis Center to speak to someone about accessing medical services. Healing Hearts provides medical services for victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault. These services may include a medical examination, collection of forensic evidence, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and emergency contraception. 

3. Get support from family and friends. 

   Consider reaching out to someone you trust for support. Call a close friend, a relative, or another trusted person who can be with you during the interview with the police or medical personnel. 

4. Seek professional assistance.

   Professionals at UOG and in the community can help you identify, respond to, and cope with sexual assault. Contact us for more information on victim services, campus resources, and community referrals. 

5. Preserve evidence of the sexual assault.

   Physical evidence is very important, but your story is often the most important piece of evidence that you can provide. If possible, write down all the details of the sexual assault and save them in case you decide to report the crime. If you do report the crime, do not throw away any clothing that you were wearing when the assault occurred. Turn these into the police. If sexual assault medical services are being coordinated, seek further guidance on personal hygiene activities to help preserve as much evidence as possible. 

6. Report the assault to the police.

   Consider making a report to the police, but remember that it is your decision to report the sexual assault or not. If you are hesitant to file a report, talk about your concerns with an advocate from UOG's Violence Against Women Prevention Program or Victim Advocates Reaching Out ((671) 477-5552) to help you decide what the best course of action is for you. Call 911 is you need immediate protection and assistance.

7. Understand that what happened was not your fault.

   It is common for victims to blame themselves after being sexually assaulted. You are not to blame for the perpetrator's behavior. 

1. Make sure you are safe.
   If you feel you are in danger, call the police and go to a place of safety immediately, such as a police station or a well-lit public place. Ask a campus security officer ((671) 888-2456) or a friend to walk with you to your desired destination if you feel unsafe. 
   
   
2. Stop contact. 
   If it feels safe to do so, make one attempt to say, "I want no further contact with you," and then end all communication. Have NO FURTHER CONTACT after this one attempt.
   
   
3. Tell people.
   Do not go through this alone. Inform your friends, family, and employers so they can help you assess potential danger and provide support. Tell them not to share any personal information about you with anyone.
   
   
4. Seek professional assistance.
   Professionals at UOG and in the community can help you identify, respond to, and cope with sexual assault. Contact us for more information on victim services, campus resources, and community referrals. 
   
   
5. Be proactive. 
   Change your daily routine, and always carry a cell phone so you can call for help if you need it.
   
   
6. Think before you post or Tweet.
   Social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, are excellent ways for a stalker to find you. Avoice posting identifying information, such as your address, cell phone number, work or class schedule, or social plans. Adjust your privacy settings to control who has access to your information.
   
   
7. Report all incidents.
   If you think you are being stalked, report all incidents to campus security and the Guam Police Department ((671) 472-8911, (671) 475-8620/8394).
   
   
8. Log all stalking behaviors.
   Keep a log listing all stalking incidents with information including dates, times, locations, incident details, and witnesses. 

TAKE ACTION NOW

If you feel uncomfortable, awkward, tense, or even fearful in your dating relationship, trust your feelings and get out of it. It may be an abusive relationship. Know that violence in a relationship will not just stop or go away.

1. Find a safe place.
   If your home is not a safe place, consider staying with a family member or friend or at a shelter for victims or domestic and dating violence, such as Alee Shelter ((671) 648-4673). 
   
   
2. Call the police.
   If you feel you are in danger at any time, call 911 for protection and assistance. 
   
   
3. Get medical help. 
   If you have been hurt, go to the hospital or see a doctor as soon as possible. You can ask a family member or friend to accompany you. If you would like to be accompanied by an advocate, call the UOG Violence Against Women Prevention Program ((671) 735-2890) or the Victim Advocates Reaching Out 24-hour hoteline at (671) 477-5552.
   
   
4. Seek professional assistance.
   Professionals at UOG and in the community can help you identify, respond to, and cope with sexual assault. Contact us for more information on victim services, campus resources, and community referrals. 
   
   
5. Get support from family and friends.
   It is important to get support by talking to family members or trusted friends about what you are going through.
   
   
6. Decide when to leave.
   If you are considering leaving your relationship, trust your judgment about when would be the best time to leave. Know that the process of leaving a violent partner is not easy and may be very dangerous, so seek assistance from the police or other professionals if you think you might be in danger. 
   
   
7. Make a safety plan.
   A safety plan is a personalized strategy for protecting yourself from domestic or dating violence. Safety plans focus on ways to remain safe while in an abusive relationship, while planning to leave, or after you leave, and should include an escape plan as well as practical steps to improve your home and personal security. It is best to develop your plan with an advocate or other truested individual. For assistance in assessing your situation and creating a personalized safety plan, call the UOG Violence Against Women Prevention Program ((671) 735-2890).
   
   
8. Obtain a Protective Order. 
   If you would like to obtain civil legal protection to stop domestic or dating violence, you can file for a Protective Order with the court. The court can issue an order to protect the victim from abuse where the parties have been in an intimate partner relationship. "Abuse" is defined as causing or attempting to cause physical injury or threatening to cause injury. The order usually includes a stay-away order and may provide for temporary and permanent arrangements regarding custody and visitation of the parties' minor children. If you would like assistance with filing for a Protective Order, UOG's Violence Against Women Prevention Program can connect you with Guam Legal Services Corp. ((671) 477-9811), where you may eligible to receive free legal assistance.